Grain sampling device



p 1967 E. K. STRAND 3,342,073.

GRAIN SAMPLING DEVICE Filed Sept; 3, 1963 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. fey/7a- K Szvemm Sept. 19, 1967 E; K. STRAND 3,342,073

GRAIN SAMPLING DEVICE Filed Sept. 5, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

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.ERLl/IG United States Patent 3,342,073 GRAIN SAMPLING DEVICE Erling K. Strand, 2336 Wellswood Curve, Bloomington, Minn. 55431; Edna E. Strand, executrix of said Erling K. Strand, deceased Filed Sept. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 306,254 4 Claims. (Cl. 73423) The present invention relates to the sampling for testing of particulate products such as fertilizer, grain, and the like and more particularly, to an apparatus for withdrawing a sample from a stream, such as a stream of grain, as it passes through an inclined pipe. While the invention is described and claimed for use with grains, by way of example, it is to be understood that the same may be used for sampling various particulate materials.

A number of devices have been previously proposed for withdrawing samples from a moving stream of iiarticulate material. These prior devices have, however, been to some extent ineffective in operation or expensive to manufacture.

In some of the previous devices of the type described, the receptacle employed for Withdrawing the sample must be rotated about an axis extending through its own center. Such devices are therefore complicated in construction and subject to occasional malfunction. Another type of collecting device for taking samples includes a receptacle of a limited capacity which during operation, passes through a stream of material flowing from one location to another. There is a serious disadvantage in this arrange ment since the collecting receptacle may overfill before it has passed entirely through the stream of material. Thus, that part of the stream which is passed through last will not be sampled and the sample, as a result, may misrepresent the character of the material.

In still other devices of the type described, a deflecting plate or chute is provided for causing part of the stream of material to flow into an auxiliary conduit where it is then collected for testing. In these devices, the deflecting plate must be moved by relatively complex drive systems such as a rotating screw or the like. A further disadvantage of these prior art devices is that there is no reliable and positive provision for preventing the material in the main stream from flowing into the auxiliary conduit used to convey material to the testing location.

In view of these and other shortcomings of the prior art, it is one object of the present invention to provide an improved grain sampling device which will reliably Withdraw uniform samples of grain from a stream traveling through a chute or the like.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved grain sampling device including a means for reliably withdrawing a sample of grain from all parts of a moving stream with no chance for the collecting device to become filled before it has traversed the entire stream.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a grain sampling device including a grain de flection chute mounted for transverse movement therein and a highly simplified support means for slidably mountin g the deflection chute.

Yet another object'of the present invention is the provision of an improved grain sampling device including a means for reliably preventing the undesired flow of material from the main stream into an auxiliary conduit used for carrying the grain to a testing station.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved grain sampler which will reliably withdraw samples at timed intervals although unattended.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, this invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

FIGURE 1 is a sernidiagrammatic side elevational view of a sampling device according to one form of the present invention when mounted in a grain transfer pipe;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged partial end elevational view of the apparatus showing the control assembly;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus partly in section;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view partly in section;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the invention showing the deflecting chute at the approximate center of its travel across the stream of material which is being sampled;

FIGURE 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional view partly broken away of a modified form of the invention; and

FIGURE 8 is a partial sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7.

Referring now to the drawings there is shown a grain sampling device 10 embodying a preferred form of the present invention. The sampling device 10 is connected at its upper end 12 to an inlet pipe 14. The lower end 16 of the device is connected to an outlet pipe 18. As shown in FIGURE 1, the upper end of the pipe 14 is connected to a grain storage device 20 of any type.

When grain is transferred from the device 20, it passes downwardly through the pipe 14, through the sampling device of the present invention then into the pipe 18 and finally to a collecting station (not shown). When the sampling device It) is operated, as will be described hereinbelow, a small portion of the stream of grain flowing through the pipes 14 and 18 is periodically withdrawn and passes into a sample collecting means such as a tapered conduit 22. From conduit 22, the grain passes through a pipe 24 to a suitable vessel 26. The sample 28 can then be tested in the usual way.

Refer now particularly to FIGURES 3, 4, 5 and 6 which illustrate the details of construction of my improved sampling apparatus. The sampling apparatus includes a housing 29 having a flat top wall 36, side walls 32 and 34 which taper inwardly at their lower ends, end walls 36 and 38 and downwardly and centrally inclined bottom walls 40 and 42. These walls are suitably secured together at their edges. A flange connection 44 is used to secure the housing 29 to the tube 18. The tube 14 is telescopically fitted over a cylindrical neck 46 which projects upwardly from the center of the top wall 30.

Extending rearwardly and downwardly on an inclined axis from the rear wall 32 is a second housing composed of tapered duct 50 which communicates through a neck 52 with the pipe 24. The tapered duct 22 is suitably secured to the wall 32 in any suitable manner as by welding.

At the center of the rear wall 32 and positioned on the central axis of the duct 22 is a rectangular opening 54. Extending along the side and bottom edges of the opening 54 on the side thereof within the housing 29 is a sealing member 56 having a lower leg 56a and two parallel side legs 56b and 560 which are aifixed to the edges of the opening 54 in any suitable manner as by recessed screws 53 (FIGURE 6). The sealing member 56 is preferably composed of a resinous material, such as nylon. Extending across the top of the entire housing 29 on the rear wall 32 above the opening 56 is a guide 60 which, like the sealing member 56, is preferably formed from 3 nylon. As clearly seen in FIGURES 3 and 5, the guide 60 is provided with a downwardly directed longitudinally extending slot 62 which functions to support a chute assembly as will be described more fully hereinbelow.

Mounted for sliding movement against the sealing strip 56 is a rectangular plate 64. The upward edge of the plate 64 projects into and is slidably recessed within the groove 62 of the guide 60 while the lower surface of the plate 64 is adapted to slide upon the upward aspect of the sealing member 56.

Affixed to the upward surface of the plate 64 is an upwardly projecting collecting chute 66 having side walls 68 and 70 and a curved lower wall 72. Opposed flanges 74 and 76 provided at the lower end of each wall are secured to the plate 64 by fasteners such as screws 78.

Aligned with the walls 68 and 70 of chute 66 in plate 64 is a vertically disposed orifice or slot 80. Rigidly connected to one edge of slot 80 is a rearwardly extending support member such as an angle iron 82 having a downwardly extending lug 84 rigidly secured to the center thereof. The angle iron 82 can be secured to plate 64 in any suitable manner as by welding. Secured to the opposite side of the slot 80 and extending downwardly therefrom parallel to angle iron 82 is a stop member such as an angle iron 86. The angle irons 84 and 86 each project into the duct 22 through the opening 54.

During operation, the angle iron 84 will strike the left side of the opening 54 as viewed in FIGURE 4 when the plate 54 and chute 66 are moved toward the left in the figures While the angle iron 86 will strike the right side of the opening 54 as seen in FIGURE 4 when the plate 64 and chute 66 are moved toward the right as seen in FIGURE 4. The movement of plate 64 and chute 66 is in this way limited.

Connected to the lug 84 in any suitable manner as by a pin is a elevis 90 itself secured to actuator rod 92 of actuator 94. The actuator 94 is preferably operated by compressed air and to this end is connected to supply lines 96 and 98 and include piston 100 rigidly secured to the inward end of the rod 92.

As best seen in FIGURE 2, air is supplied to the cylinder 94 through the lines 96 and 98 which communicate respectively through filters 100 and 102 with lines 104 and 106. Lines 104 and 106 communicate respectively with the connectors 108 and 110 of a control means such as a two-position two-way spool valve 112 of a suitable known construction. The valve 112 is coupled by means of connectors 114 with an operating means such as a solenoid 116. An electrical timer 118 of known construction is conductively connected to the solenoid 116 by means of wires 120 and 122. Current is supplied to the timer 118 through conductors 124 and 126 and can be turned on and off by means of a switch (not shown).

Air is supplied to the valve 112 through a line 128 which communicates with a source of air under pressure such as a tank 130, the latter being filled by means of a pump 140. The pump 140 in turn communicates with the tank 130 through line 142. The air from the line 128 passes into the valve 112 through an air cleaner 142 which communicates with an air inlet 144. The valve 112 also includes a pair of outlets 146 and 148 which allow air to be vented from lines 104 and 106 when the air is supplied to the right and left hand sides respectively of the piston 100.

In accordance with the present invention, the collecting means comprising chute 66 travels across the entire width of the stream of material in collecting a sample. It should be noted that chute 66 does not become filled thereby assuring that grain will be taken for sampling throughout the width of the stream passing through the apparatus.

Operation The operation of the apparatus according to the present invention will now be described. It will first be assumed that grain is flowing through the pipes 14 and 18. To initiate operation of the sampling apparatus, current to the conductors 124 and 126 is initiated and air is supplied under pressure from the tank 130 through the line 128. It will be assumed that the piston 100, plate 64 and collecting chute 66 is initially in the solid line position of FIGURE 4. With the collecting chute 66 in this position, the grain flowing through the sampling apparatus will pass through the housing 29 without interruption. When the timer 118 supplies current through lines 120 and 122 to solenoid 116, the valve 112 will be operated so as to supply air through line 104 rather than line 106. As air is supplied through line 104, the piston will be driven toward the right in FIGURES 2 and 4 thereby carrying the plate 64 and collecting chute 66 toward the right in the figures. The air on the right of the piston 100 will escape through line 106 and vent 148.

As the collecting chute 66 travels toward the right as seen in FIGURE 4, it will pick up and deflect downwardly a portion of the stream passing from pipe 14 to pipe 18 throughout its entire width. This material will flow into the tapered duct section 22, through the neck 52, pipe 24 and into the receptacle 26. The collecting chute 66 and plate 64 will then remain for a predetermined period of time in the dotted line position of FIGURE 4. While the time period selected for operation of the actuator 94 and collection chute 66 can be changed as desired, for sampling most grain it is preferred that the actuator be moved about every thirty seconds in alternate directions. Each pass can take place in approximately one second. Thus, in sampling the grain being emptied from a railroad grain car, assuming 2,000 bushels per car, a 60 pound sample can be withdrawn using the apparatus of the present invention in approximately 145 passes.

An apparatus embodying the present invention was installed in a grain transferring facility. Once the unit was placed in operation by supplying current to the timer 118, it would continue to operate automatically. Moreover, even though simply constructed, the actuator 94 was able to reliably transfer the collecting chute across the stream of grain traveling through the sampling apparatus. The chute acting in cooperation with the plate 64 served to prevent undesired grain traveling through the pipes 14 and 18 from passing into the conduit 22 either when the chute 66 was in its normal resting condition or when traveling across the center of the housing. Thus, all the grain passing into duct 22 must pass through the chute 66. On the other hand, there is no chance for the chute 66 to become filled before reaching the opposite end of the stream since the material which flows into it passes immediately into the conduit 22. Moreover, the present invention provides the additional advantage of maintaining the housing completely unobstructed except at the time the sample in being taken.

At FIGURE 7 there is shown a modified form of the invention incorporating a downwardly yieldable scoop indicated generally at 100. Scoop 100 includes parallel side walls 102 and 106 and an inclined wall 104 connected between thelower ends of walls 102 and 106. At the edge of wall 102 nearest the supporting plate 118, which is substantially similar to the plate 64 of the embodiment described hereinabove, is a downwardly extending lever arm 108. At the edge of the wall 106 nearest the plate 118 is a downwardly extending pivot arm 110. Extending between the pivot arms 108 and is a pin 112, the outside ends of which are rigidly secured to suitable brackets which extend downwardly from the plate 118 as best seen in FIGURE 8. The scoop 100 is. thus mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis extending through the center of the pin 112 connected between the free end of arm 108 and the plate 118 is a resilient means such as a spring 114 for yieldably biasing the scoop 100 to the position of FIGURES 7 and 8. In the event that an obstruction or foreign object object such as a paper bag passes through the sampling device of the invention, the scoop 100 will be free to,

swing downwardly (in a clockwise direction as seen in FIGURE 7) to an out-of-way position thereby allowing the foreign object to pass through the apparatus without causing future obstruction.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The specific embodiments described are given by way of example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A grain sampling apparatus comprising in combination, a first housing having coaxial inlet and outlet ports therein, said first housing having an opening in one wall thereof, a second housing attached to the first housing and communicating with said first housing through said opening, a sealing plate slidably mounted against said one wall, said sealing plate having an orifice therein, a sample collecting chute mounted upon said plate in communication with said orifice and projecting from said orifice toward the center of said first housing, said plate being adapted to prevent grain from passing from said first housing to said second housing except through said orifice and an actuator means operatively connected to said plate for sliding said plate Within said housing whereby said collecting chute will pass through said grain traveling from said inlet to said outlet ports through said first housing.

2. A sampling apparatus for flowing material comprismg (A) a rigid housing adapted to intercept a moving flow line of said material,

(1) said housing having a fitting at one end for connection to said flow line and forming an inlet port, and a co-axial fitting at the opposite end forming a downstream discharge port to said flow line,

(2) said housing having top and bottom walls and end and side walls forming a duct through which said material may flow from said inlet port to said discharge port,

(3) said housing extending on its opposite ends on opposite side of said flow line by a distance,

greater than the width of said inlet and discharge ports, and

(4) a sample outlet opening in one of said side walls having a width at least equal to the width of said inlet and discharge ports;

(B) a sample collecting means within said housing adapted for reciprocating movement through said housing on a horizontal line perpendicular to the axis of said flow line,

(1) said sample collecting means including a generally elongated plate disposed generally parallel to and immediately adjacent to said side wall of the housing having said sample outlet opening,

(2) said plate being of a size extending completely over said sample outlet opening and adapted for tight fitting sliding movement over said opening,

(3) horizontal guide means for said plate within said housing directing the path of reciprocating movement of said sample collecting means,

(4) a relatively narrow slot in said plate extending transverse of said plate and generally parallel to the axis of said flow line,

(5) said plate extending beyond said slot in both directions a distance at least equal to the width of said inlet and discharge ports, and

(6) an upwardly projecting chute disposed over said slot, said chute being generally scoop-like and having generally parallel side walls and a generally diagonally inclined center wall defining a slot-like mouth extending into the path of said flow line upon reciprocation of said plate and in communication with the slot in said plate;

(C) actuating means for reciprocating said plate so as to cause said chute to traverse the full width of said flow line and beyond upon each reciprocation of said plate,

(1) said actuating means including a double acting piston operatively connected to said plate and to a source of fluid under pressure and (2) timer controlled valve means regulating flow of fluid to said piston for traverse of said material flow line by said chute at predetermined time intervals.

3. A grain sampling apparatus comprising in combination, a housing, grain inlet and outlet ports communicating with said housing, a sampling enclosure communicating with said housing, means for normally preventing the flow of grain from said housing into said sampling enclosure and a collecting chute mounted within said housing for movement along a path extending between said inlet and outlet ports and a motive power means operatively connected to said chute for moving said chute through said path, said chute being yieldably biased for the first operative position and adapted to move to a Second and inoperative position when struck upon its upper surface.

4. A grain sampling apparatus comprising in combination, a housing having inlet and outlet ports therein, a collecting means movably mounted within said housing, a plate mounted for sliding movement adjacent one wall of said housing, said plate being connected to said collecting means, a sample collecting duct communicating with said collecting means through said plate and a drive means for moving said collecting means across said housing on an axis parallel to said one wall, a chute comprising part of said collecting means pivotally connected to said plate for swinging movement relative thereto about a horizontal axis and a resilient means operatively connected between said plate and said sample collecting duct for yieldably biasing the chute to a position between said inlet and said outlet ports.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,001,129 8/1911 Fairchild 73423 2,421,938 6/ 1947 Held 73423 2,759,362 8/1956 Pate 73423 2,977,800 4/ 1961 Jordison 73-423 3,128,629 4/ 1964 Grimes 73-423 LOUIS R. PRINCE, Primary Examiner. RICHARD C. QUEISSER, Examiner. S. C. SWISHER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A GRAIN SAMPLING APPARATUS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A FIRST HOUSING HAVING COAXIAL INLET AND OUTLET PORTS THEREIN, SAID FIRST HOUSING HAVING AN OPENING IN ONE WALL THEREOF, A SECOND HOUSING ATTACHED TO THE FIRST HOUSING AND COMMUNICATING WITH SAID FIRST HOUSING THROUGH SAID OPENING, A SEALING PLATE SLIDABLY MOUNTED AGAINST SAID ONE WALL, SAID SEALING PLATE HAVING AN ORIFICE THEREIN, A SAMPLE COLLECTING CHUTE MOUNTED UPON SAID PLATE IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID ORIFICE AND PROJECTING FROM SAID ORIFICE TOWARD THE CENTER OF SAID FIRST HOUSING, SAID PLATE BEING ADAPTED TO PREVENT GRAIN FROM PASSING FROM SAID FIRST HOUSING TO SAID SECOND HOUSING EXCEPT THROUGH SAID ORIFICE AND AN ACTUATOR MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID PLATE FOR SLIDING SAID PLATE WITHIN SAID HOUSING WHEREBY SAID COLLECTING CHUTE WILL PASS THROUGH SAID GRAIN TRAVELING FROM SAID INLET TO SAID OUTLET PORTS THROUGH SAID FIRST HOUSING. 